Software publisher slams British game censorship

Games developer Sales Curve Interactive (SCi) is taking legal action the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), Britain's official movie and software censor, for refusing to issue a four-minute trailer for its forthcoming game, Carmageddon II: Carpocalypse Now. The company claims the BBFC's delay is holding back the full release of the game. SCi's remedy is to issue what is known as a Mandamus Order, which forces the BBFC to get a move on and issue a certificate "within a couple of weeks", according to the company. The Order also gives SCi the right to appeal against the BBFC if it refuses to grant a certificate -- effectively banning the game from sale in the UK. The BBFC used the same tactic last year when SCi sought certification for the original Carmageddon. Under UK law any game that contains the realistic depiction of human beings must be submitted to the BBFC for certification. Ironically, if those same human beings are described as zombies and given green blood, the BBFC has no problem with the game. A clear case of discrimination against a minority (the living dead), we reckon, and probably grounds for further legal action... SCi had asked for an 18 certificate, marking the game as a adults-only title. Carmageddon and its sequel allows the player to drive around virtual cities wrecking other vehicles and running down pedestrians and animals. A typical level is Beef Curtains, in which the player must kill as many cows as possible in the time limit. Pretty sick, we agree, but hugely popular among pimply PC games players. ® Warning Readers of a nervous disposition should look away from the following screen shot. Click for more stories